Ratnam-Blue Star clash for soccer supremacy

Bernard PERERA

SOCCER: The Kit Premier League champions will be decided today at Kalutara when the leaders in the standings Ratnams Sports Club take on their closest rivals Blue Star Sports at Vernon U. Fernando Stadium. The kick off is scheduled for 3.30 p.m.

Ratnam Sports Club last year's runners-up to Negombo Youth Sports Club was in the forefront from the commencement of the championship in September last year. At times they had to face stiff tests playing against tough teams in Segment A.

Specially facing Negombo Youth SC the defending champs and Blue Star SC who were in top gear right through the tournament. Blue Star SC two weeks ago moved onto the top of the table. But when Ratnam SC overcame Negombo YSC they came back to the top spot with a slender lead of just one point.

At present Ratnam SC has a total of 38 points from 15 games while the Blue Star SC is with 37 points from the same number of games. This difference shows sports fans the thrill that they can expect in today's game.

Ratnam can go away with the trophy even if they end the game in a draw which will give them a one point to put them ahead. But for Blue Star SC it is going to be match where they should come out with everything what they have in store to gain victory to oust their opponents from the top slot.

If Blue Star achieve victory today it will be their second Premier League title within a space of three years. The homesters have a slight advantage to achieve the best today as the ground conditions here are familiar to them and also the ground support from Kalutara soccer fans.

Kalutara team is in peak form with striker Mohamed Fowzan and goal keeper Chaminda Amaratunga doing a fine job to keep their team in a strong position. Meanwhile their skipper Mohamed Hamza who mans the midfield will have a tough task in holding the Ratnam's front liners.

On the other hand Ratnam SC from Kotahena has been keeping their players at their best right throughout the tourney. They maintained this top spot mainly due to their strikers Kasun Jayasuriya and Chathura Maduranga.

Kasun has been on right target in many occasions and also is the leading scorer so far during the championship. He is upped to be the player of the tournament.

Kasun combined with Chatura is a dangerous one for any team. Both being national players they have a good understanding among them. Their experience too is of vital importance for their movements on the field.

The result in today's does not matter for both teams as they have already qualified for the champion of champions trophy along with Negombo Youth SC from Segment A.

New Youngs Sports Club from Wennappuwa who defeated Kalutara Park SC on Wednesday to win the Segment B title join the battle in the Champion of Champions tourney for which dates are to be finalised.

The winners of tomorrow's game between Pelican SC and New Star SC in Kurunegala will decide the Division I champions. Both these teams will move to Kit Premier League Segment 'B'. The two team at the bottom of the table in Segment B will replace the above team in Division I.

Segment B winners New Young SC Wennappuwa and runners-up Kalutara Park SC goes up to Segment A with the bottom placed two teams go down to play in Segment B in the coming season.

If the weather gods keep fine a good game of soccer can be witnessed by the large number of spectators expected to fill the stadium today.